Troubleshooting Dead Circuit in Vanagon Interior

[michaeltag]

This is a question about an annoying electrical mishap.
Here is what happened in chronological order

The map-light above the glove box has been falling out of the hole in the dash when we hit bumps, occasionally, and we have to push it back in to the rectangular hole in the dash. So, this time, when we were parked after a drive, at the very instant that my wife pushed it back in, the camper light, located above the counter to the left of the stove, which happened to be on, went out. The map light that she had pushed in, was dead. One by one, from this moment on, we noticed that everything associated with fuse #3, the radio (in our case, an in-dash Alpine receiver w/Bluetooth), ALL of the interior lights, the factory/dealer cigarette lighter, were all without power. I say "one by one" in the sense that we noticed them one by one. It really seems likely that they all went dead at the same moment the camper light over the counter went dead.

I found the appropriate fuse and it is listed on the inside of the fuse cover as fuse #3. (See photo below.)

I replaced it, and there was no change.
We are home from the trip now and I have looked up the fuses in my Bentley manual, and was kind of thinking that maybe that I am on to a possible hint to the problem—the fuse that was installed was a 25 amp fuse. I thought that sounded a little high.
Sure enough, what is listed in "Fuse arrangement" in 97.102 of Bentley is "3: Cigarette lighter, radio, clock, interior lights, central locking system (an option I don't have)" followed by "10" in the amp column !
Is it a common practice for these fuses to be increased in amperage by stereo installers when they're replacing factory radios with higher power stereos, perhaps?
Is it possible that when my wife pushed that map light back in to the dash that something shorted, and since there was such a large fuse installed, it fried the circuit somewhere instead of blowing the fuse? I don't see any burnt insulation near that map light. It's just that the plastic tabs and the hole it inserts into are ill-fitting. I was able to inspect the wiring up several inches from the map light by dropping it down into the glove box.
I really do need to figure this out. I rely on the Bluetooth stereo for communication when at the wheel. Any ideas? I hope I have explained it clearly.

Thanks in advance!
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'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia Syncro w/ rear locker
• 1.8T engine conversion from Stephan's AutoHaus
• Schwenk Springs, OME shocks, BFG All Terrains on South African 15-inch steel wheels
• GoWesty Plate Steel Bumpers w/ front skid plate & rear swing-away spare carrier
• Big Shot Shifter
• Transaxle rebuilt with taller heavy-duty 4th gear, GoWesty decoupler and oiler plates by Ken at Porter's Precision
* TruckFridge
• Propex Heater
• Vintage Air in-dash A/C

[crazyvwvanman]

It is very common for all those things to be moved to the aux battery instead and then fuse #3 isn't their fuse anymore.
If your van has an aux battery then check the fuse(s) at it.

Mark

[Red Ryder]

It is easy to blow the fuse when re-inserting the map light. Because that circuit has constant power, the contact for the bulb shorts out on the sheet metal under the dash. Probably a blown light bulb. Replace the 10A fuse and check all the interior light bulbs (map light, dome lights and kitchenette light).
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“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland

“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition (Tornado Red)
“Nigel” — 1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible (Alpine Green Metallic)

[Wildthings]

The positive wire to the light can and will short to ground as the light is removed or inserted, not the best engineering out there. If you replace the stock non insulate spade with a fully insulated spade that would help. You may be able to swap the two wires as well, but don't really remember. Put several dabs of black silicone around the periphery of the light when you reinstall it next time so it can't fall out any more.

[Captain Pike]

It may still be shorted.
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LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
....Bad Sneakers....